Pliers for accurate angular bending of metal strips



Mardi, 11, 1958` H. SCHEGULLAY 2,826,106

PLIERS FOR ACCURATE ANGULAR BENYDING OF METAL STRIPS l March 11, 1958 H. scHEGULLA 2,826,106

PLIERS FOR ACCURATE ANGULAR BENDING OF METAL STRIPS Filed Dec. 6, '1954 2 SheeLS-Shee-t 2 United States Patent "BLIERSFUR ACCURATE NGULRBENDING F IETALST-R'IPS Thisiinve'ntion relates to aplierlor accurately :bending :metalsandzis partieulfarlyaeoncernetlfwithzimeans fora-setting 'lthe izplier to abend metal iat :a lpredetennined angle.

Thelplier :constructed in rac-eordanee `with my invention lis .fprovided with means :ttor icuttin-g, ypunching, .and :accu- :rately zbending metalrstrips, '.wres kann ro'ds.

Conventional pliers are often tuned :for bending :metal strips, wires, :and irons, dant zaccuracy Iiin bending .to a specific angle/has "been :attained lonly by nhe laborious lmethodfo'f .trial :and errer. @f k:course:metal may beibent accurately on a brake, but abraheisnotlfalways aavai'lable. rEurtherniore, :brakes .are nottportable:andfcannotbeaused :awa-y afro'm fthess'ho'p. Another tlisalvantagenofta brake. is .that t Ynis .limited Lto three :consecutive mig-nt angles 4in y.a single fstri'p tot fme'tal because Vthe angle donned fby the -irst bend rinte'rferes fwith positioning the metal in fthe Iibrake :for sa fourth f bending Voperation.

My improved plier may be carrieidtlike :an :ordinary plier and will accurately bend a metal strip as :many -vtimesas desired, since no bencl interferes fwithipositioning the metal for a subsequentbend as longias the Ibends `are spaceda'part a distanceat-least yas great as tl'redepth of fthe bending die.

*lhef plier is provided withvmeans*forvsettinglthe 'angle at which the 'metal is 'to `be lbent land 'with l'means `to lpreventthe metal from slipping so 'lthat the -bend is-not only accurate, butvis also at the intended place iin Sthe metal The jaws for bending the metal'fma-y be pivoted lto eachother as in conventional pliers,'orfmaylbe; arranged fte-move parallel toeach other.

yThe structure by "which" the l above mentioned and other advantages ofthe invention are attained =will-be described in the following specification, `taken inffconjunctio'n'with "the 'accompanying drawings, lshowing several @preferred 'illustraive' embodiments' of 'the invention,fin which:

Figure `1 is a side elevational vview fone form of plier embodying the invention;

Fig. -2 is a fcross sectional lview, taken 'along the line 2-42 of Fig il, and showing lthe gagefmeanslforsetting theplier for any specic-ang'le fbe'nd;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view, taken along `-`Ythe line fa- "3 of `Fig. 2, and 'showingithe internesting engagement ofthe cooperating gage members;

Fig, 4 is across"sectionl'view, taken along "thefline "4-4 of Fig. '1, and yshowing the relationship `Ibetvveenthe `male and female dies;

Fig. Y5 `is a side elevational view of a modified form o'f plier -in which the'ben'ding .jaws move parallel 'toeach other;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view, taken-along .the line `6--6 oflFig. 15;

Fig. 7 is Va cross `sectional view, 'takensal'ong the `line 7-7 of Fi-g. 5,=and.showing the stopmeansnfor limiting the inward movement `of theLjaw-s;

. .'Fig. i9 `is :a :cross :sectional view, italien :ralonrgstherline Mice Ll? `9---9 of iFig. `8, and'showing1therelationshipfbetween'the metal andthe bending dies justbe'fore theistart -o' the v.bending operation;

Fig. 10 isaifragmenta'ry cross sectional view showing the meanson the male ldie *forrengagin'g fthe `metal 'to vbe bent;

Fig. 1l is a side elevational -view showing different gage means; and

Fig. l2 is a view, vsimilar to Fig. Il`l showing micrometric gage means which also serve 1as kstop means for limitingthe inward movement of '-therj-aws.

Referring to Fig. l ofthedrawings, the plier comprises a pair of complementary plier members 2 -and' vpivoter! together adjacent their upper endsiby ascrew f4. The member 2 includes a femalefdie 5 of substantially kreetangular horizontal -cross section and a curved handle `6 integral therewith. The member 3 `*includes arnale'die`7 of substantially rectangular-horizontalcross Ksection and a curved handle 8 integral therewith. Dies '5 and Y-7 are of the same length, and handlesl and-8 rare symmetrical, both being curved outwardl-y at their center Ato -for'in convenient gripping-surfaces. On `theopposite side o'f pivot screw-4 members 2 Iand .3 fareprovided respectively with cutting jaws 9 and e10 `having ysharp meeting edges so that they may cooperate to outa strip of metaliinserted therebetween.

Members 2 and 3 also 'havesextensions 11 and 12, respectively, which cooperate to form la punch for met-al `insertedin a vnotch 13 in extension y1'1. Both extensions 11 and y1'2 are provided with axially aligned bores 14 and 15. Bore 14 extends'comp'letely'through extension 1"1\atrig`ht angles tofnotch 13 'byfvvhidhit is intersected. Extension 'Z is provided with a notch 16 andbore "-15 extends-from notch VJ16 toihe-i'edge-"ofextension 1'2 adjacent `extension '111. fier-punchV pin i117 lthas 4an enlarged v'head `positioned'in notch l16' and "a shank extending =through bore 1'5 and intofbore 314. When lhandles 6 and 8 are moved loutw-ardly a f short :distance punch "pin 17 clears frecessV 13 'toperrnitentryl offthe-metal l-stripvto `be punched. flnward `pressure `ron the handles =then moves v extensions ill and 712toge`therto Aforce punchlpin 17 through the metals'trip held =in recess l.

yleb'rtension 1'2 is provided=with-allat :arcuately shaped depression "spaced JVa :short distance 4from lscrewnt, asindicated fat :18, and lthe upper rend fof ld-ie FS fis provided .withf'afsimilaradepression 129. TEX-tension Hand thelupper end .of die S7 are Lprovikled with #complementary -depressions 1*(-notkshown-D lon their -opposite surface to permit pivotalmovement of'- cuttingijaws' 91 and 10 .and extensions 11 and 12 within the .planes fzdening'the 'thi'clcness of ithe: plier. .'Eaeh .depressionihas :ai'depth toiffap-proximately half xthe y'thickness :of fthe s plier .so Ifthat .fthe normal thick- :ness'of :the plier Lis fnot increased ?inf"the1area adjacent :the pivot 'where tthe ,partsfoverlap A stop member 112 A-is securedlto v:extension 12 fand isfadapted tot-engage the .upper .end portion of die 7 when handles f6 .rand *8 yare spread outwardly, toylimit theioutward movement of plier members -2` and :3.

The :upper and-.l.owerinside edge portions `of die .5 are aligned parallel tothe-outer edge portion, as indi- `.cated at 20.and 21, 4respectively. The upperfand lower inside edgeportions .of die/'7 Aare similarly aligned, as 'indicated 'at .22 and '23. A set screw '24 extending "through 'a"transverse lbore "25in die 5 abuis surface 23 of "die "7 tot limitthe'-inwardmovernent"or plier vmembers `2 2and 3. Set lscrew '-2'4 is preferably provided with 'a lock fnut gZtl 'lto prevent 'accidental displacement 'of "the screw i-after `it "has been set 'for any -particular bending operation. f

The i'interrnediat'e lportion of itl-re edge :of l,die .f5 :facing :the @corresponding .portion :of a:die f7 4is offset 'towards :die 17,2asd findieatedz,atzpandzisrprovidelwithia longitudinally extending V-shaped groove 27. Lips 2S and 29 extend from opposite ends of the intermediate portion of die 5 to facilitate positioning of the metal strip for bending. The distance between lips 28 and 29 determines the width of the strip .of metal that may be bent by the plier.

The intermediate portion of the edge of die 7 facing die 5 is tapered to provide a sharp edge 30. Edge 30 is provided with a laterally projecting tit 3i. When a strip 32 of metal is inserted between lips 28 and 29 and handles 6 and 8 are pressed together, tit 3l engages the metal to start the bending. The tit bites into the metal, as shown in Fig. l0, and prevents it from slipping thereby insuring that the bend will be properly positioned. Tit 31 projects only Very slightly beyond the rest of edge 30, so that as the bending progresses and the angle of the metal strip 32 becomes sharper, the penetration of the tit into the metal strip will become less noticeable. When the bending is complete and the metal strip is removed from between dies 5 and 7 the impression of the tit on the metal will not be noticeable.

The final angle of the metal strip will be determined by the relative inward movement of edge 30 towards groove 27. This inward movement is controlled by the setting of set screw 24. in order to regulate the setting of set screw 24 to insure accuracy in the angularity of the bend, I have provided gage means comprising a pair of complementary gage members 33 and 34 secured to handles 6 and 8, respectively, by rivets 3S and 36. Gage member 33 is bifurcated to provide spaced parallel arms 37 and 3S, and gage member 34 is provided with an arm 39 itting snugly therebetween. Arm 39 is provided with a scale 40 calibrated to indicate various angles. Arms 3'7 and 38 are recessed on their top edge, as indicated at 4l, to facilitate reading scale 40.

The operation of the plier is very simple. In order to bend a strip of metal to a specic angle, handles 6 and 3 are moved to position the outer end 42 of arm 37 or 38 in registration with the mark of scale 40 which indicates the desired angle. Set screw 24 is then threaded into bore 25 until its end abuts edge 23 of die 7, and lock nut 24 is then tightened to hold the set screw in place. Handles 6 and 8 are then moved outwardly to permit positioning of the metal strip between groove 27 of die 5 and edge 30 of die 7. Inwardly applied manual pressure on handles 6 and 8 will bend the metal strip. When the desired angle is reached, edge 23 abuts the end of set screw 24 and prevents further inward movement of the handles.

The embodiment of Figs. 5 to 8 is substantially similar to that previously described, the only difference being that the bending dies 5 and 7 are arranged to move in parallel planes instead of pivotally. Duplicate parts will be indicated by the same reference numerals, and the description will not be repeated.

Handle 6 is bifurcated to form separated side walls 43 and 44, as shown in Fig. 7, and handle 8' is bifurcated to form side walls 45 and 46. Side walls 43 and 4S are pivoted together by a rivet 47, and side walls 44 and 46 are similarly pivoted together by a rivet 48. Each of the side walls extends beyond the pivot point to provide ears 49 and 50. Female die 5 is secured between ears 50 by a rivet 51 which permits relative pivotal movement between the die and ears 50. Male die 7 is similarly secured between ears 49 by a rivet 52.

A slot 53 extends longitudinally from the lower end of die 5', and a similar slot 54 is provided in die 7. A rivet 55 extending transversely between side walls 43 and 44 is positioned in slot 53, and a rivet 56 extending between side walls 45 and 46 is positioned in slot 54 to maintain the dies 5 and 7 in parallel relationship as they are moved relative to each other by the pivotal movement of handles 6' and 8'.

The embodiment of Fig. 11 is a duplicate of Fig. 1 except that different gage means is provided for positioning lset screw 24 to provide a desired angle in bending the metal strip. In this embodiment gage members 33 and 34 are eliminated, and a scale 57, calibrated in angles, is marked on extension 12. A line 58 is marked on extension 11. Handles 6 and 8 are moved until line 58 coincides with the portion of scale 57 indicating the particular angle desired. Set screw 24 is then set as hereinabove described.

In the embodiment of Fig. l2 a different gage is disclosed and the cutting jaws and the punch have been omitted. Set screw 24 has also been omitted since the gage combines the functions of the set screw and the gages of the other embodiments. A stud 59 is secured to handle 8 by a rivet 60. A scale 61, calibrated in angles, is inscribed on the circumference of stud 59. Stud 59 is provided with a threaded shank 62 and a tubular sleeve 63 is threaded on the shank. Sleeve 63 is rotated relative to stud 59 until its inner end indicates the desired angle. The outer end of sleeve 63 is flat, as indicated at 64, and a dat recess 65 is provided on the inside of handle 6 to insure accuracy in limiting the movement of handles 6 and 8 in accordance with the setting of sleeve 63. The threaded engagement of sleeve 63 and shank 62 permits the plier of this embodiment to be set with micromatic accuracy.

It will be obvious that the gage shown in Fig. l2 may be provided on the embodiments of Figs. 5 to 8, and the cutting and punching means of Fig. 1 may be provided on the embodiment of Fig. 12.

While I have described a few preferred embodiments of my invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact structure described.

I claim:

l. A plier for accurately bending metal to a predetermined angle comprising a pair of jaw members, a pair of handles movable pivotally to move said jaw members in parallel relationship towards and away from each other, said jaw members having meeting edges provided with cooperating male and female dies, a tit projecting laterally from said male die to engage a strip of metal positioned between said dies, upon inward movement of said jaws, to initiate bending of said metal strip before the strip is engaged by the major bending surface of said male die, and a screw extending through one said jaw members and adapted to engage said other jaw member to prevent inward pivotal movement of said handles beyond any predetermined point.

2. A plier for accurately bending metal to a predetermined angle comprising a pair of jaw members, a pair of handles movable pivotally to move said jaw members towards and away from each other, said jaw members having meeting edges provided with cooperating male and female dies, said female die having laterally projecting lips at the opposite ends thereof to facilitate position ing of a metal strip between said dies for bending, a tit porjecting laterally from said male die to engage a strip of metal positioned between said dies upon inward move ment of said handles, said tit initiating the bending of said strip of metal before the strip is engaged by the major bending surface of said male die, gage means to indicate the angle of bend for any pivotal position of said handles, and means for preventing inward pivotal movement of said handles beyond any predetermined point.

3. A plier for accurately bending metal to a predetermined angle comprising a pair of jaw members, a pair of handles movable pivotally to move said jaw members towards and away from each other, said jaw members having meeting edges provided with cooperating male and female dies, a tit projecting laterally from said male die to engage a strip of metal positioned between said dies upon inward movement of said handles, said tit initiating the bending of said strip of metal before the strip is engaged by the major bending surface of said male die, gage means to indicate the angle of bend for any pivotal position of said handles, one of said jaw members being provided with a threaded bore extending transversely therethrough, and a set screw threaded into said bore, said set screw being adjustable to engage said other jaw member at any predetermined point upon inward movement ot said handles to control the angle of bend of a metal strip positioned between said dies.

4. A plier for accurately bending strip material to a predetermined angle comprising a pair of handles pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof, each of said handles having an extension beyond the pivotal connection, a pair of jaw members each pivotally secured to one of said extensions, means engaging each of said jaws to maintain them in parallel relationship, a screw adjustably secured in one of said jaws, said screw being engageable with said other jaw to limit the movement of said jaws towards each other, said jaws having cooperating male and female dies to engage opposite surfaces of a strip of metal positioned between them, said dies being operable, upon inward movement of said jaws, to bend a strip of metal positioned between them, and a tit projecting from said male die to engage a strip of metal to hold it firmly against said female die at the start of said bending operation.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 540,790 Johnson June 11, 1895 638,378 Casterlin Dec. 5, 1899 753,224 Bernard Mar. 1, 1904 1,427,298 Jones Aug. 29, 1922 1,619,084 Miller Mar. 1, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS 390,084 Great Britain Mar. 30, 1933 409,051 Italy Jan. 29, 1945 712,630 France July 27, 1931 

